Chapter 97 TRIBUNALS JUDGEMENT
Lucian’s Pov
I stood in front of the tribunal council chamber holding the folder of evidence that would change everything. Celestia was beside me, looking nervous and hopeful at the same time. Behind us was Attorney Chen and several of my investigators who had worked around the clock to build this case.
The air felt heavy with expectation. Every eye in the chamber was fixed on us, waiting. I could feel history pressing in from all sides, knowing that once I spoke, there would be no turning back.
The tribunal consisted of seven high ranking werewolf and Lycan leaders who had the authority to overturn pack judgments and resolve disputes between territories. They were seated at a long table facing us and they all looked serious.
I recognized several of them, including Ray Stone, who had always opposed Celestia. He was sitting on the far right, arms crossed, his expression skeptical, like he already did not believe what we were about to present. His jaw was tight, eyes sharp and assessing, as if he was preparing to tear holes in every word. I knew he would not be easily convinced, and that made what came next even more dangerous.
"King Lucian you have requested this emergency hearing to present new evidence in the case of Celestia former Luna of Brazen Pack. You may proceed," the tribunal chairman said.
"Thank you. Five years ago Celestia was exiled from Brazen Pack based on accusations that she tried to harm her own child and that her baby died during delivery. She has maintained her innocence for five years claiming she was framed. Today I am here to prove that she was telling the truth," I said.
I opened the folder and pulled out the first set of documents. My investigators distributed copies to each tribunal member.
"What you are looking at are the original medical records from the night Celestia gave birth. These records show that she delivered a healthy baby boy at 11:47 PM on November 15th five years ago. The baby had a rare blood condition but he survived the delivery and was stable," I said.
The tribunal members looked at the documents and I could see confusion on their faces. These records contradicted everything they had been told five years ago.
Murmurs rippled through the room as pages were turned again and again, dates double-checked, names reread. Some leaned closer, frowning, others sat back as if struck by the weight of it. The certainty they once carried was cracking, replaced by doubt, and I knew the truth was finally beginning to take hold.
"Where did you obtain these records? The official records show that Celestia's baby died during delivery," one of the tribunal members asked.
"The official records were falsified. I obtained these original records from Dr Samara Lake who was the attending physician that night. She has confessed to falsifying the medical records and is prepared to testify to that effect," I said.
"Dr Lake is here?" another tribunal member asked.
"Yes. She is in protective custody and has provided a full statement. She has also agreed to testify in person if the tribunal requires it," Attorney Chen said.
"Why would Dr Lake falsify medical records?" the chairman asked.
"Because she was bribed by Eclipse the sister of the current Luna. I have documentation of payments totaling over two hundred thousand dollars made from shell companies controlled by Eclipse to Dr Lake's personal accounts. These payments began shortly after Celestia gave birth and continued for over a year," I said.
I handed out the bank statements and payment records. The tribunal members started reading through them and I could see their expressions changing from skeptical to concerned.
“This is very serious. You are accusing Eclipse of bribing a medical professional to falsify records. That is a criminal offense,” the chairman said.
His voice carried weight, cutting through the room and silencing every whisper. The air shifted, heavier now, charged with consequence. This was no longer rumor or political maneuvering; it was law, punishment, and reckoning. Everyone understood what this accusation meant. If proven true, it would not only destroy reputations but unravel alliances, titles, and the very foundation of trust the pack was built on.
"Yes, it is. And I am formally accusing Eclipse of conspiracy, bribery, and perjury. She orchestrated a plan to frame Celestia and steal her child. She paid Dr Lake to lie about who gave birth. And she used those false medical records to have Celestia exiled," I said.
"What happened to the child? Where is he now?" a tribunal member asked.
"The child is alive and living in Brazen Pack. He is known as Asher and everyone believes he is the son of Alpha Raphael and Luna Medea. But the truth is he is Celestia's biological son who was taken from her when he was only minutes old," I said.
"That is a very serious claim. Do you have proof of this?" the chairman asked.
"Yes. Dr Lake preserved DNA samples from both Celestia and the baby on the night of the delivery. Those samples have been retrieved and tested. The results conclusively prove that Asher is Celestia's biological son," I said.
I handed out the DNA test results that had come back from the lab that morning. The results were clear and undeniable. The DNA from the samples matched. Asher was Celestia’s son.
The tribunal members studied the DNA results and the room was completely silent. This was the evidence that could not be disputed or explained away. This was scientific proof. Faces drained of color as understanding settled in. No politics, no manipulation, no testimony could undo what was printed on those pages. The truth stood on its own, unmovable.
"These results appear legitimate," one of the tribunal members said quietly.
"They are legitimate. They were conducted by an independent lab with no connection to either party. The samples were properly preserved and the chain of custody is documented. There is no question about their validity," Attorney Chen said.
Ray Stone leaned forward and spoke for the first time since the hearing began.
“Even if these results are accurate, how do we know Dr. Lake is telling the truth about the conspiracy? She could be lying to avoid prosecution for her own crimes,” Ray Stone said.
His words landed heavily, and several tribunal members nodded in uneasy agreement. Suspicion crept back into the room, sharp and wary. Ray’s gaze flicked toward Dr. Lake, cold and accusatory, as if daring her to slip. It was clear he was not ready to accept any explanation that did not involve absolute, undeniable proof.
"Dr Lake has been granted immunity in exchange for her testimony. She has provided extensive documentation to support her claims including copies of threatening messages from Eclipse and detailed records of every interaction they had. Her testimony is corroborated by multiple pieces of evidence," I said.
"I would like to hear from Dr Lake directly. Can she be brought before this tribunal?" the chairman asked.
"Yes. She is waiting outside. We can bring her in now if you wish," Attorney Chen said.
"Please do so," the chairman said.
Attorney Chen left the room and returned a few minutes later with Dr Lake. She looked nervous and scared but she walked to the front of the room and stood beside me.
"Dr Lake you are under oath. Do you swear to tell the truth?" the chairman asked.
"Yes, I swear," Dr Lake said quietly.
"Please tell the tribunal in your own words what happened five years ago," the chairman said.
Dr Lake took a deep breath and began speaking. She told them about the night Celestia gave birth. She told them about Eclipse approaching her with threats and bribes. She told them about falsifying the records and lying to everyone. She told them everything.